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Home | Sports | Gophers

Northwestern QB's arm catches up to his legs

Kevin Rivoli, Associated Press

Last weekend against Syracuse, Northwestern quarterback Mike Kafka became the first Big Ten player in five years to produce TDs on a pass, catch and run in the same game.

Northwestern's Mike Kafka ran through the Gophers defense last season, and now the entrenched starter has refined his passing skills.

By MYRON P. MEDCALF, Star Tribune

Last update: September 24, 2009 - 7:11 AM

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GOPHERS AT NORTHWESTERN

11 a.m. Saturday • Ryan Field, Evanston, Ill. • TV: Big Ten Network (830-AM)

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Had Terrell Owens put up the kind of numbers that Northwestern quarterback Mike Kafka did at Syracuse on Saturday, he'd have held a midweek news conference and taped a reality show about it.\

But Kafka has avoided prolonged reflection after he accounted for three touchdowns passing and one each receiving and rushing in a 37-34 loss against the Orange. That kind of self-admiration doesn't suit his persona.

An interview with Kafka is a lot like listening to an acceptance speech at the Emmys: He spends the bulk of the time thanking everyone else while using pronouns like "we" and "us."

Kafka's thoughts on facing Minnesota on Saturday in the Big Ten opener for both teams: "We're just going to go out there and try to execute our offense."

Ask anyone who has faced him, however, and you'll learn Kafka is living proof that the modest ones should be feared. The Gophers learned as much in a 24-17 loss a year ago when Kafka, filling in for injured starter C.J. Bacher, ran for 217 yards and threw for two touchdowns.

On a good note for the Gophers, Kafka has just 20 yards on the ground so far this season. On a bad note, the senior's rushing numbers are down only because he's shredding defenses with an improved passing game.

Last weekend he threw for a career-high 390 yards and became the first Big Ten player in five years to produce a TD on a pass, catch and run in the same game. He's second in the Big Ten with 740 passing yards through three games and fourth in passer efficiency. He has thrown just two picks and connected on 74.4 percent of his passes.

Still, Minnesota's defense is determined to neutralize Kafka after the way he embarrassed it last season.

"As a defense, we just took that really personal and that won't happen, again," said senior linebacker Simoni Lawrence.

Kafka broke a school record against Syracuse by completing 16 consecutive passes, a mark once held by current Chicago Bears practice squad QB Brett Basanez. It was Basanez who helped Kafka mature into a better decision-maker during summer workouts. "The field sort of slowed down for me," Kafka said.

Kafka, however, still considers himself a dual threat.

"I think I can do both," he said. "Our offensive line allows us to do that. They open holes, and we can run it. And when they block for us, we can throw it."

As potent as Kafka's arsenal was last year, he appears to be a far more versatile and efficient player in 2008.

It's helped that he's more comfortable as Northwestern's undisputed starter.

"Definitely a lot more confidence getting out there, getting reps with the [first team] and being the guy," he said.

Kafka started four games as a redshirt freshman in 2006 before he suffered a hamstring injury and was replaced by Bacher.

Bacher kept the job through last season -- although his own injuries forced Kafka back into the lineup in 2008. he said he learned a lot on the sidelines about managing a game, even while he longed for the field.

Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald said Kafka developed character during his time as a reserve and refused to pout.

"I'm very proud of him," Fitzgerald said during the Big Ten's weekly media teleconference. "He's stayed the course his whole career. He started for us as a redshirt freshman and then got hurt. To C.J.'s credit, he led us obviously to two very good years and Mike was patient, just waiting for his opportunity. I'm very proud of the way that he's playing right now."

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